Mind Controlled Devices Now Hitting the Market Just the Beginning

I recently participated in a home inspection in which the inspector marveled at his new handheld smartphone technology that allows him to complete inspection reports in real time, supplemented with photos. I asked if his inspection software had voice to text and he responded he would prefer “thought to text” instead. We both chuckled as we know such technology is probably science fiction. Or is it?

Imagine the day when mere thoughts will be typed out on a computer or smartphone screen. In a sense, humans are already “mind controlled devices” but how well do we do in translating thought into action? Much of our time is spent in a river of emotions and a mishmash of ideas. Could a mind control device “cut through” these dissonant stimuli and follow a writer’s thought process word for word?

We are already seeing the fruit of mind controlled device research with DARPA’s Mind Controlled Arm Prosthesis which is nearing a commercial launch. These prostheses include arms, hands, and legs. Most mind controlled devices currently use EEG brain waves. Scientific American has identified six devices that can be controlled by human thought and range in price from $35 to $299.